The IPL Auction: All you need to know

More players, more money, fewer slots available – there is set to be some monster bidding wars when the world's best T20 cricketers go under the hammer in Bangalore this weekend

Cricket Network
26 January 2018

What is it? The Indian Premier League is the world's most lucrative domestic cricket tournament, attracting the best players from around the globe. The player auction where the brains trust from each of the eight franchises bid for the right to have that playing talent on their roster. Each club has a salary cap of approx. US$12.4m to spend on a maximum of 25 players (eight overseas).

When is it? This weekend, January 27-28. No fewer than 578 players (360 Indians) are available to go under the hammer across Saturday and Sunday in Bangalore.

How can I follow it? No Australian television broadcaster has bought the rights for the IPL auction, meaning the event won't be available on either free-to-air or subscription TV. Fear not,cricket.com.au will have you covered with live updates of all the talking points.

How does it work? Much like a Twenty20 game, there's no easing into the action. The big marquee names will be up first, starting with India's Ravi Ashwin. The bidding will be fast and furious. The first Australian to go under the hammer will be Mitchell Starc, while Glenn Maxwell goes 12th. Players have set their base price from which bidding starts (more on that below).

Complicating things are the "Right To Match" cards clubs hold. Each club was given the option to secure up to five existing players before the auction, either by retaining them ahead of the auction or using an RTM during the auction process. Using an RTM card allows the player's previous club to match the auction amount and sign them up, adding an intriguing level of strategy to the bidding process.

Which players have been retained? A total of 18 players have been retained, including superstar Aussie duo Steve Smith and David Warner, who were each bought for A$2.3m.

Who has set themselves the big base prices? The big guns put themselves in the top bracket in terms of highest base price, and below that there are tiers two and three, which are also in the US six-figure price range. This year, with more money in the salary cap and more players on offer than ever before – but fewer spots on rosters – there should be some entertaining bidding wars.

The lowest base price was just R20 lakh, or A$40,000. There will be several teams no doubt eying a bargain at lot No.89 when one D'Arcy Short comes up for bidding. The Hobart Hurricanes batter set himself the lowest possible base price, way back before he exploded on the Big Bash stage. Where his final price will end up is anyone's guess.

The final Australian up for auction is Cameron Gannon, who has to wait until lot No.571 for his turn to attract interest. Historically teams have bid big early to secure some star power, and drawing a lot further down the list can also impact on what teams are prepared to bid.

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Cricket Australia.